120 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VoL. I. 



From 1812 to 18 16 there arc no records. No doubt, the war scattered 

 the people and broke up the congregation. Here again St. Mark's had a 

 great advantage, a resident clergyman and a stone church not entirely 

 destroyed ; for, heavy as were the timbers of St, Andrew's, they only fed 

 the flames more fiercely. 



In 181 8 agreement with Rev. Chas. Jas. Cook. Then in 1S20 a pe- 

 tition to Earl of Dalhousie for a sum of money to build a church in town 

 and give title to land on which former church did stand. A collection at 

 Divine service to repair windows and building as far as necessary for 

 comfort of congregation (supposed to be school house). In the Gleaner 

 lying before me for 1818, published in Niagara, is an advertisement of 

 " annual meeting of Presbyterian Church, to be held in school house- 

 The accounts of moneys received and expended in building school house 

 will be produced." 



In 1820 a letter asking for services of Rev. Thos. Creen, who had 

 preached for them a few weeks and with whom they were pleased. At a 

 meeting in school house, held 1 82 1, " Resolved to put themselves under 

 the Presbytery." Here follow signatures and sums promised, sadly di- 

 minished from those before the war. In 1821, Rev. Mr. Smart of Brock- 

 ville, who was present, was appointed their Commissioner, and on 21st 

 Dec. elders were nominated, Rev. John Burns presiding. Scarcely any 

 records for 1822-23, but in 1824 is presented the former account of ^^176 

 8s. 6d., with interest for twenty years, making the whole sum almost the 

 amount, ;^400 allowed by Government for loss of church. £ 100 had been 

 received and paid on this account. Some interesting items occur. Paid 

 for deed of church, ^6 14s, 6d.; passage to York and back, £\ ; deten- 

 tion there two days, los. There seems to have been no settlement of 

 this account till 1833 when follows in small clear writing almost like 

 copper-plate of W. D. Miller, " amount due the two persons named, 

 ;^203 ; interest for Qy. 4 2- 3m. from 1804 till the church was burnt, the 

 commissioners not allowing interest after the church was burnt." This is 

 signed by James Muirhead, Robert Dickson, Wm. Clarke, perhaps as ar- 

 bitrators, or who state this to be the decision of the majority of the 

 trustees. 



The wheels of state must have moved slowly, as this sum ^^400 de- 

 manded in 1820 from the Government, awarded in 1824, was not paid 

 for several years and then only in instalments of 10%, 25%, etc. In 1828, 

 Rev. Mr. Eraser was engaged for two years and in 1829 a call was sent 

 to the Presbytery of Glasgow offering £\'^o, and the Rev. Robt. McGill 

 was sent out. Now come various interesting items bearing on the vexed 

 questions of Clergy Reserves, status of Presbyterian ministers, &c 



